Theft-proof light socket



Nov. 29, 1949 R. G. MILLER THEFT-PROOF LIGHT SOCKET Filed Dec. 10, 1946 FIG..6-

I IN VENTOR.

ROY G.MILL4ER ATTEI RN EYB Patented Nov. 29, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE THEFT-PROOF LIGHT SOCKET Roy G. Miller, Tacoma, Wash.

Application December 10, 1946, Serial No. 715,243

1 Claim.

My present invention relates to an improved theft-proof light socket of the type which may be used outside and which will receive and retain a conventional electric lamp bulb but will not release the bulb until the locking mechanism is tripped from the inside of the socket.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention according to the best mode I have thus far devised, but it will be understood that various changes and alternations may be made in the exemplified structure within the scope of the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view partially broken away showing the locking key in non-removing position.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the socket.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with the key in removing position.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the structure of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the key.

Referring now to the drawings I have illustrated the conventional socket comprising a metal casing 2 having a removable cap 4 through which the wire 6 passes, and the key 8 permits the operation of a conventional switch.

Insulation is provided interior of the casing and one connector i2 is shown providing electrical contact with the socket for bulb I4. This socket, which normally is made of one metal piece, I fashion of the two sections it and [8 having annular arcuate shoulders or with a groove 20 and a bead 22 respectively so that the upper section It fixed to the connector permits rotation therewithin of the lower section l8. The section I8 is threaded at H) to receive a bulb.

The shoulders 20 and 22 are respectively slotted at 24 and 26 and within the casing in a passage 28 I provide a key 30 having a lower beveled end 32 and an angular arm 34. The arm supports the key in the device and also provides means for turning the key.

The lower beveled end of the key extends into the slots 24 and 26 and when positioned as seen in Figures 1 and the point 32 holds the sections it and I8 rigidly against clockwise movement as when a lamp bulb is inserted. However, should the bulb be rotated counter-clockwise as to remove the bulb, the beveled point will ride over the shoulder of the lower section permitting the bulb and that section to rotate with respect to the upper section.

To remove the bulb, the cap 4 is removed and the arm 34 moved to the dotted position of Fig. 4

so that the key will be as shown in Fig. 3, the point thus at right angles to the slots and disengaging the beveled point from operating position. Thus when the lower section is subjected to the rotary movement of the bulb, the lower section will be locked to the upper section and the bulb may thus be rotated and unscrewed therefrom.

From the above description it will be apparent that the electric socket of my invention will secure and retain a bulb until the key is set to permit removal and that the structure of the invention will prove durable in use and will be inexpensive to manufacture.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A locking electric socket for lamp bulbs comprising a bulb receiver having a threaded lower section and a stationary upper section, said upper section having an annular groove around the inner surface of the lower end and said lower section having a bead positioned in said groove providing a swivel connection between the sections, said groove and bead having vertically disposed slots therethrough positioned to register with the sections in one position, a connector block on which the said upper section is carried, a vertically disposed key carried by said connector block having a beveled lower end and provided with a laterally extended actuating arm on the upper end, said key positioned with the said actuating arm on the upper end of the connector block, and an outer casing with a removable cap enclosing said connector block and receiver section, the lower section of the said bulb receiver being rotatable in a counter-clockwise direction with the key in one position but locked to prevent rotation thereof in a clockwise direction whereby a bulb may be threaded into the socket, and said lower section being locked to prevent rotation in either direction when the key is actuated by the said actuator arm to a position with the lower beveled end extended across said registering slots of the upper and lower sections.

ROY G. MILLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,053,354 Broad Feb. 18, 1913 1,091,226 Kellner Mar. 24, 1914 1,675,353 Kellner July 3, 1928 1,889,804 Hild Dec. 6, 1932 

